By the numbers: Americans working from home

Mayer stated in a memo that employees must start reporting to the office every day, starting in June. She said to be the best, employees must work side-by-side. “Speed and quality are often sacrificed when we work from home,” she wrote. “We need to be one Yahoo!, and that starts with physically being together.”

While unpopular among employees, Mayer's edict appears to be trend-setting. Best Buy on Tuesday announced the end of its work-from-home program in favor of stricter guidelines.

Take a look at the numbers behind Americans who work from home.

A study conducted in 2011 and 2012 by Telework Research Network found that working remotely increased 73% from 2005 to 2011 in the United States.

The overall workforce (not including the self-employed) grew by only 4.3 percent between 2005 and 2011.

2.5 percent of U.S.employees(3.1 million people, not including the self-employed or unpaid volunteers)considerhome their primary place of work.

An estimated 20 to 30 million Americans work from home at least one day a week.

Of those 20 to 30 million people, 15 to 20 million people (including the self-employed) work at home part time with about half doing so 1-2 days a week.

Over 75% of employees who work from home earn over $65,000 per year, putting them in the top 20 percent of all employess.

A typical telecommuter is 49 years old, college educated, a salaried non-union employee in a management or professional role, earns $58,000 a year, and works for a company with more than 100 employees.

64 million U.S employees hold a job that is compatible at least part time telework (50% of the workforce).

79% of U.S. workers say they would like to work from home at least part of the time (WorldatWork Telework Trendlines 2009). 80% of federal employees say they want to (2012 Status of Telework in Federal Government: Report to Congress). In total, 50 million workers both could and want to telework.

Based on current trends, with no growth acceleration, regular telecommuters will total 4.9 million by 2016, a 69 percent increase from the current level.

Among the 15 largest U.S. metro areas, San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos (CA) has the highest concentration of people who consider home their primary place of work (4.2 percent).

Detroit-Warren-Livonia (MI) has the lowest concentration of people who consider home their primary place of work (1.8 percent).

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